Thousands of disabled Utahns are facing substantial fee increases to get around the state.

The Utah Transit Authority wants to increase one-way ridership of its paratransit system from $2.50 to $4. The system takes the disabled from their homes to a fixed transit route, such as TRAX or municipal bus stops, as long as it is within three-quarters of a mile. (The current cost is actually $2.75 but on April 1 will drop to $2.50 because the price of fuel has dropped.)

The proposed increase is because of declining sales-tax revenue that funds the entire transit system, say UTA officials.

"In 2008, sales-tax revenues to UTA were $18 million less than projected, and sales-tax revenues continue to be down. In response, UTA has made budget cuts throughout the agency, and must also consider cuts to paratransit service," said general manager John Inglish.

Leslie Gertsch, an advocate for those with disabilities, says the increased cost will not only greatly impact those with income of just $560-$600 a month, but potentially cost them their jobs as well.

"I think a lot of people will just not be going places," she said. "It's a big discouragement for people going to work."

The system has long faced increases. While the current cost is $2.50 per one-way ticket, a paratransit trip actually costs UTA $35, says spokeswoman Carrie Bohnsack-Ware.

There are 4,200 riders signed up for the paratransit system, though only 2,800 actually used it in 2008. Those riders accounted for 481,000 trips. With the cost increase, ridership is expected to drop and the three-quarter-mile rule will have an impact on several hundred riders who were grandfathered into a greater distance several years ago.

Gertsch said those are people who have homes or apartments farther out than will be allowed, forcing them to find another way to get into the transit system.

Bohnsack-Ware said UTA is attempting to bring together other transportation sources to cover the needs of the disabled community. Small pots of funding exist between federal, state and local governments as well as private entities, she said, and those groups need to figure out how to work together.

The proposed cuts are supposed to save about $1.6 million a year and would go into effect in August. The paratransit budget is $15 million a year, and UTA's total yearly operating budget is $200 million.

Those with disabilities will still be able to ride fixed routes for free.

The proposal is still just a proposal, and the public has multiple chances to make comments. Those with immediate concerns can call UTA's customer hotline at 877-882-7272.

Speak out:

April 21 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Provo Library, Large Meeting Room, 550 N. University Ave.